Sustainability in parking
Parking is an important part of the wider property environment. How a car park is designed, operated and improved can influence energy use, infrastructure requirements, vehicle movement, customer behaviour and the long-term performance of an asset.
Adding EV chargers does not, by itself, make a car park more sustainable.
At Ace Parking, we consider sustainability alongside operational performance, customer experience, technology and the wider objectives of the property.
There is no single sustainability solution for every car park. The right approach depends on the asset, its users, existing infrastructure and the client’s wider environmental and operational priorities. Initiatives can often be introduced progressively as part of an existing operation, refurbishment or new development.
Smarter, more efficient parking operations
Improving the way a car park operates can create opportunities to reduce unnecessary infrastructure, energy consumption and vehicle movements while improving the customer experience.
Depending on the asset, this may include:
- ticketless and digital parking systems
- energy-efficient parking and access-control equipment
- intelligent lighting systems and controls
- parking guidance and wayfinding
- remote monitoring and management
- improved utilisation of existing parking capacity
- operating models and business rules designed around how the asset is actually used.
Technology should support the requirements of the property, rather than determine them. Ace takes a technology-agnostic approach, assessing the operating requirements first and then considering the systems and infrastructure suited to the asset. Learn more about our parking optimisation and value-added services and parking equipment and technology.
Energy and sustainable infrastructure
Car parks can provide significant opportunities to support the sustainability strategy of the wider property.
Depending on the building and site conditions, opportunities may include:
- energy-efficient lighting and intelligent controls
- solar and other renewable-energy systems
- improved ventilation and extraction systems
- building-management-system integration
- CO₂ monitoring and demand-controlled ventilation
- green walls and green roofs
- water harvesting and reuse
- shading and other measures that improve the performance of the built environment.
Some initiatives sit directly within parking operations, while others require collaboration with property owners, consultants, technology providers and specialist contractors.
Ace can help clients consider how parking requirements interact with these broader asset initiatives and coordinate the parking component where appropriate.
EV charging and the transition to electric mobility
Electric vehicles are changing the infrastructure requirements of commercial, retail, healthcare, residential and mixed-use parking facilities.
Installing charging points is only one part of the consideration. The wider planning process can include electrical capacity, charging demand, location, access, customer and tenant requirements, management systems, future expansion and load management.
Solar generation and other energy infrastructure may also form part of the wider solution where appropriate to the asset.
Ace can work with clients and specialist providers to consider how EV charging and associated infrastructure can be incorporated into the parking operation without losing sight of capacity, access, customer experience and day-to-day operational requirements.
Supporting more sustainable ways to travel
Parking assets increasingly need to accommodate more than conventional private vehicles.
Depending on the property and its users, this may include:
- bicycle parking
- end-of-trip facilities
- car-share arrangements
- EV charging
- alternative transport connections
- parking policies that better match demand and available capacity.
The objective is not to apply the same solution everywhere. It is to understand how people use the property and identify practical opportunities that support the client’s transport, sustainability and customer-experience objectives.
Parking as part of the wider property strategy
A car park should not be considered in isolation from the building or precinct it serves.
Energy, mobility, access, technology, landscaping, water management and building systems can all intersect with parking operations. Sustainability initiatives therefore work best when parking requirements are considered as part of the broader asset strategy.
Where relevant, Ace can work alongside asset owners, property managers, consultants and specialist providers to help assess parking-related opportunities, coordinate requirements and integrate changes into the operating environment.
This may also include supporting parking considerations within broader building sustainability programs and frameworks such as NABERS, while specialist assessments and accreditation remain with appropriately qualified providers.
A practical approach to sustainable parking
The best sustainability initiative is not necessarily the newest technology or the largest infrastructure project.
It is the solution that is appropriate for the asset, delivers a meaningful benefit and can be operated effectively over its lifecycle.
Ace Parking combines parking operations, car park consulting and technology experience to help clients understand the available options and determine what is appropriate for their property.
Discuss sustainability opportunities for your parking asset
Whether you are reviewing an existing car park, planning a refurbishment or considering future requirements such as EV charging, energy infrastructure or operational improvements, Ace can help identify the parking considerations and practical next steps.
Contact Ace Parking to discuss your parking requirements.
